1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.
2 And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.
3 Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder.
4 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
5 I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
6 Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
7 But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?
8 Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
9 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
10 And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
11 Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
12 But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?
13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.
14 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.
15 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
17 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
18 Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, the LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
19 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
20 Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?
21 But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
22 Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
The 36th chapter of the Book of Isaiah found in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a narrative that delves into the historical events that occurred during the reign of Hezekiah, the King of Judah. The chapter is a dramatic account of the Assyrian invasion of Judah, a significant event that shaped the course of history for the Israelites. It presents a vivid dialogue between Rabshakeh, an envoy of the Assyrian King Sennacherib, and the representatives of King Hezekiah. This chapter is a testament to the power struggles, faith, fear, and the battle of words that characterized this period.
Isaiah 36 opens with the Assyrian King Sennacherib waging war against all the fortified cities of Judah and succeeding in his conquest. This historical backdrop sets the stage for the ensuing dialogue that takes place at the outskirts of Jerusalem, the only city that remained unconquered. This chapter thus serves as a narration of the Assyrian threat to Jerusalem and the psychological warfare that the Assyrians employed to demoralize the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
The Assyrian envoy, Rabshakeh, is introduced as the main antagonist in this chapter. He is portrayed as a cunning diplomat who uses psychological warfare to instill fear and doubt among the people of Jerusalem. Rabshakeh's speech is a masterpiece of propaganda aimed at undermining the faith of the people in their king and God. He questions the ability of Hezekiah to protect his people and mocks their trust in God. Through his words, he seeks to sow seeds of doubt and fear among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, aiming to weaken their resolve and morale.
Rabshakeh's speech is a classic example of the power of words in warfare. He uses language as a weapon, exploiting the fears and insecurities of the people. He attempts to convince the people that their faith in God and their king is futile, arguing that no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people out of the hand of the Assyrian king. The psychological warfare employed by Rabshakeh is a significant theme in this chapter, highlighting the use of fear and doubt as potent tools in war.
Another key theme in Isaiah 36 is the test of faith. The people of Jerusalem, under the leadership of King Hezekiah, are faced with a severe test of their faith. The Assyrian threat is not just a physical one, but it is also a spiritual challenge. They are confronted with the choice of surrendering to the Assyrians or standing firm in their faith in God.
In the face of Rabshakeh's taunts and threats, the people of Jerusalem choose to remain silent, adhering to King Hezekiah's instructions. This silence is a form of resistance, reflecting their refusal to engage with Rabshakeh's psychological warfare. It also signifies their trust in God and their king, despite the dire circumstances they find themselves in.
A recurring theme in Isaiah 36 is the comparison between the power of earthly kings and the power of God. Rabshakeh attempts to equate the power of King Sennacherib with the power of God, stating that no god has been able to deliver his people from the king of Assyria. This assertion is a direct challenge to the faith of the people of Jerusalem, who believe in the omnipotence of their God.
This chapter, therefore, presents a clash of beliefs – the Assyrian belief in the supreme power of their king, and the Israelite belief in the supreme power of their God. It is a battle not just of armies, but also of ideologies. The Assyrians trust in their military might and their king's authority, while the Israelites trust in their God's ability to deliver them from their enemies.
In Isaiah 36, the role of prophets is also highlighted. The chapter is part of the larger narrative of the Book of Isaiah, where Isaiah is a prophet of God. Prophets are seen as intermediaries between God and people, conveying God's messages and warnings. In this chapter, the words of Isaiah are fulfilled as the Assyrians invade Judah. The chapter underscores the significance of prophets in the biblical narrative and their role in shaping the course of history.
In conclusion, Isaiah 36 in the KJV Bible is a historical narrative that explores themes of power, faith, fear, and the role of prophets. It presents a vivid account of the Assyrian threat to Jerusalem, highlighting the psychological warfare employed by the Assyrians and the faith of the people of Jerusalem in their God. This chapter serves as a testament to the enduring faith of the Israelites in the face of adversity and their trust in God's deliverance.
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